It Was A Very Good Year

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Welcome, VSB nation, to our final post of 2011 — a year that can be summarized in one word: Wow. 

It might take 5,000 words to list each memorable moment, so I’ll just settle for the highlights.

The release of a long-awaited book that garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from many, including celebrities (well, celebrities to reading ninjas, at least) Helena Andrews…

 “Written by Damon “the Champ” Young and Panama Jackson, the two “very smart brothas” behind the blog of the same name, Your Degrees isn’t the latest literary money pit for pitiful women looking to “find, keep and understand a man.” Instead, the book, which reads more like a “best of” blog series (in a good way), is a case study in new-millennium mating for like-minded folk who live near a metro. The book is playful without being patronizing.”

…and The Artist Formerly Known As Sister Toldja

“The 250-page book has consistently remained on Amazon’s top-100 for both love/sex and humor titles since its release at the end of January…and for good reason! It’s a genuinely entertaining read. Though they’re both men, Panama and The Champ (the first Pittburgian…Pittsburger(?) that I ever knew outside of an August Wilson play) do a fantastic job at not throwing women under the bus, nor attempting to make too many excuses for guys when it comes to the behaviors that make the dating game a tough one to play.”

(Hint, Hint: “Your Degrees Won’t Keep You Warm At Night” would make for a great stocking stuffer. Humor, wisdom, and rachetness all in one cheap package. What more can you ask for?) 

The first annual National VSB Day — officially recognized now as February 10th of every year — an event where hundreds of fans of VSB gathered in various cites across the nation (Pittsburgh, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City, Oakland/Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami/South Florida) to meet, greet, and celebrate VerySmartness.

“Three Deez” — The VSB Three Year Anniversary Party and Book Signing — an event that took place on April 2nd, drew over 500 folks (Including numerous VSB veterans. Don’t even want to bother naming who all showed up because I don’t want to forget anyone, but lets just be safe and say that every f*cking body was there) and was notable for three reasons.

1. It marked the first time that Panama and I met in person. (Also was the first and only time that all three of us — Panama, Liz, and I — have ever been at the same place at the same time)

2. It managed to get VSB and SBM together for a picture…

…an instance that will surely be our version of the famous “Pac and Biggie when they were still cool” pic when VH1 does their “Behind The Music” special on black male bloggers in 2021. (If I had to guess, the segment will probably start off with a narrator saying “Everything was great…until that one fateful night in 2016 when Panama and Slim Jackson (no relation) decided on a whim to rob that Uni-Mart…”)
3. It produced this totally awesome video.

Panama appeared on The Ed Gordon show, and was a featured panelist at the Princeton University’s Hip-Hop: Arts & Life Symposium.

I had spots on the Michael Baisden Show and The Michael Eric Dyson Show, and was a featured panelist at Blogalicious 2011.

We were featured by The Washington Post, interviewed by The Root, named on The Root’s list of 30 Black Bloggers You Should Know, interviewed by Essence, profiled by Black Enterprise, and spotlighted by Edge Magazine. 

We won a record FIVE Black Weblog Awards — (Blog of The Year, Best Writing In a Blog, Best Humor Blog, Best Dating and Relationship Blog, and Best Blog Duo)

We were named on Ebony Magazine’s Annual Power 100 List

(Also, I haven’t seen it yet, but apparently we’re in this week’s Jet Magazine. Kelly Rowland should be on the cover.)

Panama, Liz, and I also continued to spread our wings to other parts of the internet. Editor gigs, writing contracts, featured columns, and Liz even managed to executive produce a series about women exactly like her.

Now, I can’t speak too much about our plans for 2012 yet, but I will say two things…

1. VSB will open the new year with a few, um, changes. I can’t tell you exactly what’s going to happen, but things will be very different around here. Don’t worry, though. These are good changes. (Well, we think they’re good changes, but that remains to be seen)

2.  You know how jaw-dropping it can be to see your favorite book on screen? Well, if “Your Degrees Won’t Keep You Warm At Night” is your favorite book, prepare to have your jaw-dropped in 2012.

None of this — the book, the awards, the recognition, our plans — would have been possible without VSB nation, and trust me when I say that we’re honored and humbled by your continued support. It’s completely amazing to think of how far we’ve come (and how much further we plan to go), and you’ve been there with us every step of the way. We are forever indebted to you, and we sincerely wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season.

See you in 2012

—The Champ

127 thoughts on “It Was A Very Good Year”

  4. Congrats on a wonderful year, Panama, Champ & Liz. I’m so thankful for my older brother telling me about this site. I’ve loved every blog post and podcast (that needs to come back) on here.

    I wish VSB the best with all of your future endeavors in the upcoming year.

    Can’t wait for the movie to come out.

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  5. I’m so glad I came across this site when I did! You’ve kept me thoroughly entertained for months & I look forward to more. Congrats & sh*t. U guys deserve it!

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  7. Congrats on a wonderful year. I thoroughly enjoyed all the posts and comments from the VSB family. I know I’m gonna go through withdrawals this next week, but I’m looking forward to bigger and better things from/for you all in 2012. :-)

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  11. Yall have kept an insomninja highly entertained. I’m glad to have met your aquaintence ‘n sh*t. My goal for 2012 is to be a regulah so I can get a piece of that movie deal, cuz a VSS needs some ducketts.

    And yall need to get with B&N so I can put the book on my NOOK!

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  12. Kudos on the prosperous year VSB! Many blessings for you all to continue going even stronger.

    Happiest of holidays to everyone! :)

    ♥Hawaii

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  14. *GASP* at 2012 hint number 2! Well now I HAVE to buy the book! *claps hand over mouth in hopes that no one will realize this means I haven’t already purchased it*

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  17. 2. You know how jaw-dropping it can be to see your favorite book on screen? Well, if “Your Degrees Won’t Keep You Warm At Night” is your favorite book, prepare to have your jaw-dropped in 2012.

    ***EEK***

    Congrats fella’s and may you have AT least quadruple success in 2012!

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  18. Gues i will come out of lurk-mode for this. I have been reading this blog for the past year and have enjoyed doing so….congrats and yes i definitely smiled when i saw VSB mentioned in this week’s jet. Congrats and keep the progress moving.

    Ms. Sasha

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  22. Ninjawhat! A movie!!!!!!!!!! Now all you have to kinda hint is that Kevin Hart will be apart of the cast and well….I…well….I just wet myself….brb.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  23. First, I’m glad my boy from college put me on to this site. I’ve learned a LOT, met some great peeps, found out a lot about the world and, apparently, entertained people with my comments and stories about my wife.

    Now for my a$$ to get a job so I have less time to comment in between sending emails and begging on the phone for work like Keith Sweat in his prime. There’s nothing like enabling a mentally ill wife to mess with someone’s career. Thankfully, therapy got me right. :)

    Oh, and if you’re still looking to donate for the holiday season, check out these people. They’re a support group for spouses and family members of people with BPD, and I fux with these peeps hard.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’ll throw in a Happy Kwanzaa if Dr. Karenga dies. :)

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  25. Kudos team VSB.
    Proud of you guys (+Liz) and all that you have achieved.
    Many of the highpoints of my day are reading your articles and chuckling while my boss is giving me wahala and sh*t..
    ’11 was a good year and i’m sure 2012 will be more amazing. See y’all in 2012.
    Love from Lagos, Nigeria

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  26. Ahhhh…..I remember the VSB Anniversary party. : ) Putting real faces to screen names was awesome! Shout out to all of the VSB Veterans!

    Congrats Panama, Champ and Liz! Looking forward to the New Year with VSB!

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  27. hey!! don’t forget your fave canadian! HA!

    honestly, what would my life be like without vsb in it? im not being sarcastic when i ask this question!! this is genuine because it has lead me to some wonderful blogs and even more wonderful friends and memories.

    so thanks for writing, keeping us educated and entertained, connected and for fighting crime one diva dude at a time.

    still waiting for the vsb bbq, dating site AND a vsb nation tshirt.

    merry christmas, happy hannukah, eid, kwanzaa, anything and everything in between!!!!!!!!!!!

    *showers everyone with lip glossed kisses and ample bosomed hugs.

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  30. Congratulations! Felicitaciones! I wish everything good for vsb peeps. Love and money.

    Things seem to be going my way, I can’t be as cantankerous as usual. All rampaged out. I have vsb to thank for that. Yay for me, yay for everybody!

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  31. HANDS DOWN my favorite blog w/the best online community. I’m glad that God has been good to yall!!! Thank you for entertaining us, and the best to your endeavors in the future!!!!

    *fantasizes about a VSB/ABG movie… Allayall are creative, and seem like good ppl in real life!!!!

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  32. congrats guys! its been so awesome to see you guys (and gal) move on up in the world. although my new job actually requires me to, um. work and i havent been around as much i still read daily and I am glad you guys are being rewarded for the hard work you’ve put in. You deserve it and Im sure this is only the beginning. Meanwhile I can make arrangements to be available for a cameo in the movie. LOL

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  33. Congrats Champ, Panama, and Liz on a big year!!! Love VSB and looking forward to the movie!

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!! Wish u all the best for 2012.

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  34. CONGRATS, Panama, Champ and Liz! As already mentioned, I think you all have had a fantastic year and I’m excited about all that’s to come. I’ve attended nearly all the DC VSB events and I always have a fun time. Thank you for putting together great events, and thanks for providing me with yet another distraction from work!

    Also, because of VSB, I’ve made new friends! Crystal Marie is really cool people and has an amazing blog herself, and through her I’ve met other awesome people via wing nights and a fun game night! I met Crystal at the National VSB Day event, via another great person I met that night, Bengemin Grehe, who’s become a wonderful friend!

    Happy Holidays, everyone and I look forward to more VSB deez in the new year!

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  36. Congrats on 2011, looking forward to 2012 and what you guys have in store (more podcasts?). VSB have brought great people into my life and introduced me to some great blogs that written by VSB Nation. Be safe and have great holidays!

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  38. “It marked the first time that Panama and I met in person.”

    Out of all the great things that happened to you all (us) with in the past year that statement resonated with me the most. How great is it that two (black) individuals could collaborate on something so powerful and have such great chemistry (no h@m@, wait are we still saying that?) and never physically met. You guys are a tue inspiration, and I am not one to gush like that. I can’t say I been down since day one (but long enough to remember the tagline about Candace Parker being your favorite CP3), however I have read everyday since someone plug me into your blog. And have enjoyed every minute. I wish you all much success in 2012 and shamefully I haven’t picked up the book, that is an early Twenty Twelve resolution. Peace, Love, and Blessings… One (Wait, do we still say that also?)

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    • You’re not alone. I confess that I haven’t read it yet either. I’m stalling, because…still healing from a recent romantic train wreck that hurt really badly. I need a little time before I’m ready to laugh about relationships again.

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      • “Royale W. Cheese” That is by far the best screen name I’ve seen lol. Love it.

        And it’s never to soon to laugh. I know its cliche but laughter is truly the best medicine. Maybe we’ll have to read tgether and compare crazy relationship stories (in which mine consist of smanging friends and ish went all wrong more than being in “bad relationships lol).

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        • “in which mine consist of smanging friends and ish went all wrong more than being in “bad relationships”

          Same here. End of my latest story…the only male friend who truly understood me, my nerdy tech compadre (and at one point, lover), got married to someone else. My heart was fine until this jerk reached out and confessed that he settled for her because he was afraid I didn’t love him as much as he loved (still loves) me. First time I ever had a moment where I wanted to kiss a guy and punch him in the throat at the same time. So now I’m in “emotional mistress” zone.

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          • yeah we should definetly get together for cyber tea and crumpets, I have been emotional (what ever the male version of mistress is) to many a female counterparts. I have also been the emergency paynis in a glass case one too many times as well. But for some reason I always have to taste the fobidden fruit.

            (Panama will like this) Jay said it best, “I know how this movie ends and still I play, the starring role in…”

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            • We should start a support group. “Forbidden Fruit Anonymous” or “Always Somebdy’s Secret” …but the acronymn for the latter could be taken the wrong way. lol.

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  39. Congratulations on all of your success VSB! I hope it only gets better and better…bigger than the Oprah empire, even!

    Your posts and viewpoints are fresh, daring, challenging, multidimensional, and fun to read…the VSB community responses as well. Thanks for all you do to keep black culture from becoming stale. Thanks for evey time you made me shout amen. Thanks for every time a post has p*ssed me off. Thanks for all the essays that remind me that there are other folks in the world like me.

    Happy holidays and have a fantastic new year!

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    • “Your posts and viewpoints are fresh, daring, challenging, multidimensional, and fun to read…the VSB community responses as well.”

      agreed. Your entire comment gave me the warm and fuzzies :)

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  40. Happy holidays to everyone in the VSB community and congrats to PJ, Champ, and Liz on your accomplishments this year. I started reading this blog in April 2011 and continue to read it b/c of the dialogue that it generates. I hope the hot topics and dialogue continue into 2012 at an even bigger level. I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for you guys. :-)

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  41. Congratulations to all of you! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog on a daily basis. It’s part of what helps me through these 9-5 days at work. My 3:30pm high if you will.

    All the best in the upcoming year.

    God Bless.

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  44. Thanks for keeping me entertained during my morning commute to my internship. You guys make me seem like a complete idiot laughing at my phone each and every morning. So thanks for that. I remember discovering this site a couple of months ago and staying up late every night LMAO and pissing my dad off :)

    Merry Christmas peeps! Greetings from Holland.

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  45. Well I usually don’t do this but um (this time of day that is)…

    Congratz VSB; so we’re getting a VSB sitcom next year? Webisodes perhaps? Sounds like fun. Thanks for keeping me on task while I’m work (because when VSB is down I’m all over the place). If I can maintain employment next year, I’ll still loiter.

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  46. Know I’m late (damn hangover wouldn’t go away) but congrats and may you all have a joyful, blessed holiday and New Year.

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  51. I found your witty, wonderful site last summer & it was truly a delight! My sincere congrats are yours with a wish for continued success in 2012. Btw, your book was my Christmas gift to myself today, I just downloaded it :-)

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  53. all the way from Kenya big up people…its been two years of laughter,education,foolery,entertainment and so much more. I will always be grateful to my homeboy who introduced me to this blog. Madlove

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  54. Congrats on doing it big in 2011.

    Oh, and I did get a copy of “Your Degrees…” back when I was in Korea. I support y’alls site regardless of how well received my opinions have been when I first started out posting here.

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  55. A VSB TV show? Word? If it is a sitcom, may I be a recurring character, a la “Bruh-Man” from Martin? I just need 5-10 lines to get a SAG Card.

    Anyways, congrats on an awesome year and I wish you a great 2012.

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  56. Congrats. I started reading you all about a year or so ago after a friend told me I would probably like the site. They were right, and I even went back through a lot of the archives. Many of your posts kept me occupied on very slow days at work, and the posts still give me a nice witty, yet humorous break in grad school. Thanks and keep up the good work. No groupie-ism (I’m a guy), just voicing appreciation. Best of luck to Champ, Liz, and Panama.

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  60. Congratulations fam! My highlight of 2011 was meeting Panama at the Heavy D tribute party! I can’t wait for the epic blockbuster directed by Spike Lee and sh*t.

    =D

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  61. Congratulations VSB + Liz! I’ve been a follower for nearly a year now and I love it! There have been times when I’ve been on your site at 2 am, laughing, even crying like a lunatic – - – at some of the funny comments! Your followers are as big a Star as you are! I am 60 years old, and your blog keeps me current, it makes me really “cool” (I think) when I turn around and use some of the terms or phrases that I pick up! It also makes me happy to see so many smart, educated, articulate young people interacting! I’ve actually copied some comments to share with my 20 year old college boy – - – later, but right now he’s not ready! He thinks he knows it all right now!

    Keep up the great work and I pray that God will continue to Bless You and give you the desires of your heart in 2012!

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  62. Pingback: the year that was: top 10 moments of 2011 « fourpageletter

  63. Congrats on all your success in 2011! One of my favorite things about this year has been that the bloggers I love have stepped from behind the keyboard and out in to the real world. It was a pleasure meeting the three of you and ABIB. My excitement proved just how much of a geek I’ve become…

    Anyway, congrats again and I’m looking forward to the awesomeness you have in store for 2012. Safe and happy new year all!

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  66. Pingback: Takeaways From Yesterday’s “Rape Responsibility” Discussion | Very Smart Brothas

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